The Southeast Seminoles pulled away late from a scrappy Tarpon Springs squad, knocking off the Spongers 71-59 in Bradenton. The district win sets up a showdown next Friday vs. Lakewood with the #2 seed and a first-round bye in the 5A District 11 tournament on the line.

The undermanned Spongers seemed the heavy underdog, with a depleted roster, a 1-hour and 45-minute bus ride and a previous 10-point loss to the Seminoles. But midway through the third quarter, the game was tied at 36 behind the strong interior efforts of Donald Davis and Israel Atkins. Both seniors recorded double-doubles for the second time this season against Southeast, as Davis finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds and Atkins tallied 16 points and ten rebounds.

It's usually the combination of Ronald Taylor, Greg Alexandrea and Corey Davis leading the way for Southeast, but with an off night from Taylor, it was time for Keives Brooks to shine. He sparked the Seminoles in the first half with three 3-pt FG and finished with 18 points, four rebounds and four assists. Alexandrea earned Player of the Game honors for his scoring (19 points) and distributing (eight assists) and Davis chipped in 14 points.

Southeast improves to 12-7 and 6-3 in 5A-11, with their final district game coming against traditional Pinellas County power Lakewood, as the Seminoles have their sights set on their first playoff appearance since 2011.

Tarpon Springs falls to 7-13 and will face Dunedin in their district finale next Friday.

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